Screaming’s Run Haunted Attractions Underway

SWAINTON – Cape May County’s premiere haunted attraction for the past 10 years returns Friday night with plenty of thrills and chills for all ages. During the next two weekends, the usually calm and peaceful Leaming’s Run Gardens on Route 9 in Swainton transforms into twenty terrifying acres of after-dark excitement. Screaming’s Run features two haunted events, live entertainment, a snack bar and a newly expanded parking area.
The traditional Haunted Walk is a guided candlelit tour through the dark forest trails filled with actors that scare and entertain guests. Owner Gregg Aprill explains, “We’ve been doing the Haunted Walk for ten years now, and it’s always a crowd favorite. It’s scary enough to be fun, but it’s not too gory for children. We get a lot of families on the Walk. We keep it fun by putting humor into the show in between the scary parts. This year we’ve completely revamped the trails to go places they’ve never gone before. You get to go into the bamboo grove this year for the first time”.
The Haunted Walk is recommended for all ages, but the newest attraction, The Asylum, is not meant for young children. As Gregg’s wife, Missie, says, “All bets are off in the Asylum. It’s intense and in your face. The gore factor is dialed way up in the Asylum!”
In addition to the Walk and the Asylum, Screaming’s Run has some of the top entertainment acts in the area. This year Jersey Devil Fire Arts will be performing on Sat. Oct. 29. Flaming whips, swords, broken glass stunts and a bed of nails are all part of the extreme stunt show. Shore Thing from Jersey Cape Dance and Gymnastic Academy will be performing live all four nights. They were most recently seen on Paula Abdul’s television show “Live to Dance”. Missie Aprill says “We’re so excited to have Shore Thing at the event this year. People will be blown away by their routine. The costumes are amazing.”
Ticket prices for each event are $7, or you can purchase a combo pass to both events for $12. “We are probably the most reasonably priced haunted event in South Jersey,” says Gregg, “we offer a lot of bang for the buck. Parking is free, and the entertainment outside the events is free. Families can afford to come out, enjoy the events, the entertainment, and have something to eat at the snack bar for about $15 a person total”.
Screaming’s Run is open Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 28 & 29 from 7 to 11p.m. They are located at Leaming’s Run Gardens, Route 9 in Swainton (4 miles north of the County Zoo). From the Garden State Parkway, take Exit 13 then go north on Route 9 for one mile. More information can be found at www.screamingsrun.com. Group rates are available but must be arranged in advance by calling (609) 465-2186.